And The Name Is G.W. Bailey!

You probably know him from TNT's "The Closer"...
...And those of us who lived through bad 80's cinema will recall his desperately trying to save the "Police Academy" films...
...I know I first noticed him as "Rizzo" in the television version of "M.A.S.H."- as did people in... Denmark? Is that what ".de" stands for?

But my favorite character was his psychiatrist "Dr. Hugh Beale" in "St. Elsewhere". I don't know why they cut him loose, or maybe he found a bigger, better gig, but he was perfect as a guy who might be a little crazy himself. Or as one exchange went...

Patient: You're crazy-
Beale: -As a loon!

Bailey knocked that line out of the park. The thing I love about him is, once again, he is obviously someone who is theatre-trained and uses it to great effect in film by doing a lot with his eyes, even when he doesn't have lines. But when he has lines, he's got this great Texas gravelly, gargled with barbed wire, kind of voice that growls out the lines, like the above exchange.

Besides acting, Bailey has gone from working with the "Sunshine Kids" charity to becoming executive director of it's foundation.

Here's more about Bailey from their website...

G.W. Bailey
Executive Director, The Sunshine Kids Foundation


After serving as a SSK volunteer for 15 years, G.W. became the Executive Director in Jan. 2001. Since creating the California Fun-Time Fantasy in 1988, he has overseen the expansion of National Events that now include ten destinations and involve volunteers nation wide working with the Foundation to provide trips and activities for hundreds of young cancer patients annually.

A long time student of Texas Tech University and a graduate of Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos , Texas , G.W. became internationally known as a professional actor for his portrayal as Capt. Harris in the POLICE ACADEMY film series. He is also widely recognized as Sgt. Rizzo from the MASH television series and for his other feature and TV movies. He is currently a regular on the TNT television hit series, THE CLOSER.

G.W. was introduced to the Sunshine Kids by his goddaughter Brandy Aldridge who had been diagnosed with leukemia. Her experiences with other Kids who were also fighting cancer had a profound effect on Brandy, her family and friends. She inspired G.W. to begin working with the Foundation and with Rhoda in an effort to create more activities that would reach as many Kids as possible. His work with the Sunshine Kids has always been dedicated to the memory of this remarkable young woman.


Please check out both his ongoing career and this worthy charity that he is a part of.